Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 2
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
आवर्तितञ्चान्यथा तु वारिणाम्ल्लेन ताम्रकं क्षारेण कांस्यलोहानां मुक्तादेः क्षालनेन तु
āvartitañcānyathā tu vāriṇāmllena tāmrakaṃ kṣāreṇa kāṃsyalohānāṃ muktādeḥ kṣālanena tu
Copper is purified with sour water (an acidulated liquid); bronze and iron with an alkaline solution; and pearls and similar gems by washing.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Material-specific cleansing using acidic/alkaline media—useful for ritual purity, household hygiene, and early metallurgical maintenance (removing tarnish/contamination).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tāmra-kāṃsya-loha-maṇi śuddhi: amla-jala, kṣāra, and prakṣālana","lookup_keywords":["tāmra-śuddhi","amla-jala","kṣāra","kāṃsya","muktā-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Copper is purified with sour/acidulated water; bronze and iron with alkaline solution; pearls and similar gems by washing. The method matches the substance and its typical impurity (tarnish/grease/soil)."}
Concept: Yukti (appropriate means) governs purification: opposite qualities (acid/alkali) are applied to remove specific contaminations, reflecting practical causality rather than mere ritualism.
Application: Standardize cleaning protocols in temples/households: choose solvent/agent by material to avoid damage and ensure śauca.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Rasashastra (Metallurgy & purification of substances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A demonstrative cleansing setup: copper vessel being rubbed/rinsed with sour water; bronze and iron treated with alkaline solution; pearls washed gently in a bowl, with a teacher indicating each method.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, flat yet expressive forms; three panels showing amla-jala on copper, kṣāra on bronze/iron, and pearl washing; traditional borders and muted gold accents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold embossing on vessels; bowls of sour liquid and alkaline solution; pearls rendered as bright white beads; teacher-figure blessing the act of purification.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic clarity; neatly arranged vessels and liquids; fine brushwork showing different textures (metal vs pearl), calm instructional mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop realism; attendants preparing sour and alkaline washes; detailed reflections on metal surfaces; pearls in a small dish; architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: āvartitañcānyathā → āvartitam ca anyathā; vāriṇāmllena → vāriṇā amlena (gemination/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (Dravya-śuddhi)
FAQs
It gives shodhana (purification) protocols: copper is cleansed with sour/acidulated water, bronze and iron with alkali, and pearls/gems by washing.
It preserves practical, laboratory-style procedures for processing metals and gems—linking Purāṇic teaching with applied Rasashastra/Ayurvedic pharmaceutics and material purification.
Purifying substances used in worship, ornamentation, or medicine supports ritual cleanliness (śauca) and helps ensure offerings and preparations are free from impurity, aligning actions with dharmic purity.